The specific details of the proposed changes in Canada's FSW Points system is now available online in Canada Gazette. Please note that it is still a proposal and may still be subject to changes.

These changes will take effect on January 1st, 2013.

The followings are the possible major changes in Federal Skilled Workers Program Points System.

Language Factor

1. Requiring minimum language abilities in order to qualify for the program. The proposal is to set it at Canadian Language Benchmark 7 (CLB 7) for all four abilities (speaking, listening, reading and writing). It's equivalent to IELTS Score of 6.
2. The number of points for the second official language (French) would be reduced from 8 points to 4 points.

3. Significantly increasing the maximum points awarded for fluency in one official language from 16 points to 24 points. The computation would be as follows:

The proposal is to favor younger applicants by awarding a maximum of 12 points for applicants aged 18 to 35 and a reduction of 1 point for every year after 35:

36 years old = 11 points
37 years old = 10 points
38 years old = 09 points
39 years old = 08 points
40 years old = 07 points
41 years old = 06 points
42 years old = 05 points
43 years old = 04 points
44 years old = 03 points
45 years old = 02 points
46 years old = 01 points
47 years old = 00 points

Work Experience Factor

The proposal is to reduce the total number of points for work experience from 21 to 15, and increase the years of experience required to achieve full points, from four years to six.

The additional points (3-5) from Spouse's education is no longer included.

Education Factor

Education points would be awarded based on the equivalent Canadian educational credential and points would be redistributed in recognition of the credential’s relevance in the Canadian labour market. Designated organizations would work on a case-by-case basis to authenticate credentials obtained in foreign jurisdictions and determine their equivalent value in Canada.